Tag: Darren Mack

In Reno, Nevada, hearings begin today to decide whether Darren Mack, who pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and shooting the couple's divorce judge, will be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea.

Mack is alleging he was "psychologically raped" by his defense counsel, David Chesnoff, a TL friend whom I consider to be one of the best lawyers in the country. (some of his recent cases are discussed here.)

Mack had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but after the Government finished presenting its evidence at trial, Mack agreed to plead guilty to offenses that would avoid a mandatory life sentence and make him eligible for parole after 20 years.

Mack is also alleging that the judge he shot, Chuck Weller, demanded $5 million from Mack to agree to the plea deal, a charge the judge denies.

Mack is accused of killing his wife and then shooting the couples' divorce judge. He was on the lam in Mexico for days before surrendering. He's represented by David Chesnoff of Las Vegas (former partner of Mayor Oscar Goodman) and Scott Freeman.

Today, after three days of jury selection in Reno failed to yield sufficient jurors due to pretrial publicity, the judge ordered the trial moved to Las Vegas.